MLB Player News

Pruitt will serve as Oakland's opening pitcher in Saturday's game agains the Twins.

Pruitt will most likely cover anywhere from 1-to-3 innings prior to turning the game over to Hogan Harris, who had been in line to start Saturday before the Athletics made the late decision to deploy him behind an opener. Over his previous four assignments as an opener this season, Pruitt has allowed six earned runs on nine hits and no walks while striking out two over 6.2 innings.

Jackson (elbow) is slated to throw a bullpen session Saturday, the team's official site reports.

The right-hander's absence due to a flexor tendon strain is approaching two months, yet Saturday's planned activity is certainly a step in the right direction. Jackson will eventually be ticketed for a lengthy rehab assignment given how long he's been sidelined, but even that step is still likely weeks away.

Staumont (neck) is expected to have thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in the coming days, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Staumont's upcoming surgery will almost certainly end his season. The right-hander will close 2023 with a mediocre 5.40 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 24:13 K:BB through 20 innings. The Royals have not indicated if he'll be delayed to start spring training in 2024. Staumont was moved to the 60-day injured list Friday.

Hentges (1-1) took the loss Friday versus the Rangers. He failed to record an out while allowing three runs on two hits and a walk.

Hentges was tasked with protecting a one-run lead in the seventh inning but instead created a mess that saw the Guardians trailing by four by the end of the frame. The southpaw has yet to have an outing in which he's allowed a single run -- he's given up multiple runs seven times, including in each of his last three appearances, while adding 18 scoreless outings. He's at a 5.40 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 22:11 K:BB with eight holds through 23.1 innings this season.

Fujinami (5-8) took the loss Friday against the Twins, allowing two earned runs on two hits over 1.2 innings. He struck out three.

Fujinami fired 20 of his 27 pitches for strikes, but the two-run home run he surrendered to Joey Gallo in the ninth inning snapped a 3-3 tie and ultimately saddled the right-hander with the loss. Fujinami saw a six-appearance scoreless streak snapped in the process, but despite the stumble, he's been much more of a fantasy asset since moving to the bullpen in late April following a mostly disastrous stay in the rotation over the first month of the campaign.

Bautista struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 24th save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Marlins.

The right-hander continues to dominate. Bautista has struck out multiple batters in 13 of 14 appearances since the beginning of June, posting a 0.56 ERA, 0.50 WHIP and incredible 32:2 K:BB through 16 innings over that stretch while converting 10 of 11 save chances. He now sits three saves behind major-league leader Camilo Doval's 27.

Lange picked up the save Friday against the Mariners. He allowed one run on one hit and two walks over one inning. He had one strikeout.

Lange bounced back after blowing a save in his last appearance July 9. The right-hander has posted a 5.40 ERA so far this month, but he's been serviceable overall this season and his 14 saves are tied for 17th in MLB.

Duran picked up the save Friday against Oakland. He allowed one run on two hits over one inning. He did not walk a batter.

Duran's form has been shaky recently -- he's posted an 0-2 record with an 8.31 ERA in the month of July so far. However, the 25-year-old's 13 saves are a career high, and he still sports highly impressive ratios on the year (2.29 ERA, 1.05 WHIP).

Pressly picked up the save Friday against the Angels. He struck out the side over a perfect inning.

Pressly continues to impress, as he remains on pace to pass his career-high saves mark of 33. His 0.82 WHIP would also be the second-lowest mark of his career, and he is currently tied for seventh in the league in saves. Fantasy managers can deploy him in their lineups with confidence.

Jansen struck out the only batter he faced to secure a save against the Cubs on Friday.

Jansen entered the game after Tayler Scott loaded the bases and struck out Mike Tauchman on three pitches to finish things off. Jansen has now converted 20 of his 23 save chances this season, including 11 straight. He lowered his ERA to 3.19 with a 37:13 K:BB through 31 frames.